Deputy Director of Programs at the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Deputy Director of Programs

Location: Abuja
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Overview

• The Deputy Director of Programs (DDP) is a member of the senior management team (SMT) (along with the Deputy Director of Operations (DDO), Deputy Director of Finance (DDF), Snr. HR Coordinator, and OTL Chief of Party. The DDP is responsible for leading and managing the program sectors, grant management, M&E and Consortia teams in the Country Program.
• The DDP is expected to contribute to high levels of teamwork and inter-departmental and cross-sectoral collaboration.
• Through the DDP’s leadership the IRC Nigeria country program will develop and implement high quality programs based on the principles of results, data-driven analysis, problem identification and problem solving.
• The DDP will also be the focal point for strategy development, review, and monitoring. The position is based in Abuja with frequent travel to all field locations.

Major Responsibilities
Ethics, Integrity and Safeguarding:

• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Way (code of conduct) and other Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.
• Ensure that programs are designed in ensure integrity and safeguarding are central to all interactions with clients.

Security:

• Contribute to the highest possible standard of security management through SMT level security and risk analysis and planning and the integration of security principles in program design and implementation, grant management and M&E.

Management and Strategy:

• Actively contribute to and participate in management and leadership platforms such as the senior management team and the country leadership group. Be a champion and focal point for the development, periodic review and implementation of the Nigeria Strategic Action Plan and ensure quality and meaningful participation of programs, grants and M&E teams in strategy and research related activities and initiatives.

Strategy 100:

• Champion IRC’s Strategy 100, ensuring that all country program colleagues are familiar with the Strategic Action Plan (SAP) and that all programs are in line with IRC Nigeria’s strategy.
• Lead the development, follow up and progress review of the SAP – implementation plan (SAP-IP) and associated budget in collaboration with all departments and key resource persons identified in the SAP-IP, in line with organisational guidelines and country program needs.
• Lead the SAP reporting in line with organisational guidelines, through a participatory process across key staff to monitor progress.
• Chair the SAP country team, ensuring close monitoring of actions and timely reporting.
• Supervise the roll out of program related SAP initiatives, such as the Outcome and Evidence Framework and IRC’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning handbook.
• Ensure that all staff and partners have a clear understanding of the importance of gender equality and protection mainstreaming in programs and that all programs are designed to reduce the gender gap.

Program Design and Technical Oversight:

• Ensure the highest level of quality in program design through robust and in-depth context analysis, development of theories of change and sector level strategies. Through rigorous M&E processes and results-based management, periodic and systematic learning is informing program design and adaptation.
• In partnership with the SMT ensure efficient and effective delivery of program quality commitments through overseeing the development and implementation of tools such as program oversight management plans, budget versus actual reports, work plans and in collaboration with Project management teams, lead project reports and etc.
• Oversee appropriate technical assistance for all sectors ensuring that programs are reaching a high quality through use of best practice, evidence base and up-to-the-minute learning.
• Postholder will be responsible for all consortium projects, having responsibility for relevant consortium leads.

Business Development and Grant Management:

• In conjunction with SMT colleagues, lead the development, implementation and review of IRC’s country program business development strategy to ensure that individual sector programs, overall strategy and operations are adequately funded.
• Lead the grant management team to ensure IRC Nigeria are meeting all institutional donor and internal reporting and compliance requirement.

Representation, Advocacy and Communication:

• In conjunction with the CD and DDO, ensure that the IRC is effectively represented in relevant coordination fora and networks and with relevant stakeholders. This representation should aim to bring to bear IRC’s learning and experience to improve the overall humanitarian and development response in Nigeria.
• Drive an advocacy strategy that advances the strategic aims of the country program.
• Ensure that the IRC has an appropriate range of communication products to highlight the work of the country program to various audiences.

Human Resources Management:

• Lead teams under the supervision of the DDP in all human resource management activities including workforce planning, leave planning, recruitment, professional development and performance review in line with IRC policies. Ensure Duty of Care considerations are central to human resource management and decisions for technical team.

Training and Capacity Building:

• Identify learning and development needs across the country program for the Technical Heads of Departments
• Develop and implement training and capacity development plans, and prioritize initiatives based on the needs of the country program and the evolving context.
• In collaboration with the HASST, build the capacity of the Program Technical team to operate in volatile contexts with limited supervision.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Country Director
• Position directly supervises:  Sr Program Development & Quality Coordinator, Cash Specialist,  Consortium Program Team Leads , Governance Coordinator, Partnership Coordinator, Senior Grants Coordinator and Senior MEAL Coordinator
• Other key contacts:
• Country Program:  Senior Management Team members, Security Coordinator, Field Coordinators, Senior Supply Chain Coordinator, Senior HR Coordinator
• Organizationally: Deputy Regional Director, Technical advisors and the Award Management Unit.

Job Requirements

• At least seven years of international experience with two years of experience in the management of emergency, post-conflict, and development programs.
• Demonstrated skills and experience in program design and delivery, including proposal development.
• Proven capacity in staff management, multi-tasking, time management and diplomacy.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Must be an innovative and creative problem solver, and a team player, with experience working with multi-cultural teams.
• Fluent in English.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online